Pastor Mike’s 2017 Paper Pulpit - Clover...
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Pastor Mike’s Paper Pulpit First Christian Church Elder & Contact Information CONNECTING POINTS FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH Elders Mack Jones—267-3090 Brett LeTourneau—706-2192 Mike Souza— 674-2268 Ron Walton—706-4885 Secretary Amanda Stutsman—559-674-5203 Pastor Michael G. Stipe—559-259-6879 (2016 Shepherding lists are posted. Call your elder when there is a need.) HAPPY NEW YEAR! Someone once observed that a wasted life is really nothing more than a collection of wasted days. As God gives us life, each one of us starts the new year with the same number of opportunities—365—that we can choose to either use and invest in eternal things or allow to drift by without taking advantage of the gift we have been given. The difference between those who succeed and those who fail is not found primarily in talent but in diligence and effort. This explains why Jonathon Edwards penned a series of resolutions for his new year in the early 1700’s. Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live. Resolved, Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life. His resolution seem more substantial than our usual “I want to lose weight or be more loving in the new year.” Let me finish with this anonymous poem I AM THE NEW YEAR I am the New Year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time. I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months. All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search for it but with more determination. All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant if you will have fewer conflicting desires. All that you dreamed but did not dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose. I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, “Behold, I make all things new.” I will see you Sunday! Connecting People To God - To Each Other & To The World JANUARY 2017
Transcript of Pastor Mike’s 2017 Paper Pulpit - Clover...
Pastor Mike’sPaper Pulpit
First Christian Church Elder & Contact Information
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Elders
Mack Jones—267-3090
Brett LeTourneau—706-2192
Mike Souza— 674-2268
Ron Walton—706-4885
Secretary
Amanda Stutsman—559-674-5203
Pastor
Michael G. Stipe—559-259-6879
(2016 Shepherding lists are posted.Call your elder when there is a need.)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Someone once observed that awasted life is really nothing morethan a collection of wasted days. AsGod gives us life, each one of usstarts the new year with the samenumber of opportunities—365—thatwe can choose to either use andinvest in eternal things or allow todrift by without taking advantage ofthe gift we have been given. Thedifference between those whosucceed and those who failis not found primarily intalent but in diligence andeffort.
This explains whyJonathon Edwardspenned a series ofresolutions for his new yearin the early 1700’s.
Resolved, That I will do whatsoever Ithink to be most to the glory of God,
Resolved, Never to lose one momentof time, but to improve it in the mostprofitable way I possibly can.
Resolved, to live with all my might,while I do live.
Resolved, Never to do anything,which I should be afraid to do if itwere the last hour of my life.
His resolution seem more substantialthan our usual “I want to lose weight
or be more loving in the new year.”
Let me finish with this anonymouspoem
I AM THE NEW YEAR
I am the New Year. I am anunspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art ofliving. I am your opportunity topractice what you have learned
about life during the last twelvemonths.
All that you sought anddidn’t find is hidden in me,waiting for you to searchfor it but with moredetermination.
All the good that you triedfor and didn’t achieve is
mine to grant if you will havefewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but did notdare to do, all that you hoped but didnot will, all the faith that you claimedbut did not have—these slumberlightly, waiting to be awakened bythe touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew yourallegiance to Him who said, “Behold,I make all things new.”
I will see you Sunday!
Connecting People To God - To Each Other & To The World
JANUARY2017
2300 Sunset Ave Madera, CA 93627 (559.674.5203) e-mail: [email protected] maderafcc.org
Remembering
As I was putting up our Christmastree this year, I came across anornament that had been given to
me by my grandmother severalyears ago. “To Melissa, Love Nana.”
Our tradition was that she would give each ofher granddaughters an ornament every year.As I celebrated my second Christmas withouther, I realized that she had given us somethingthat she knew would last beyond her time withus. The ornament was just a token of her lovefor me. Behind that ornament is years ofprayers, encouragement, instruction, andattention. She has entrusted me with herlegacy.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures onearth, where moth and rust destroy and wherethieves break in and steal; but lay up foryourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust destroys and where thieves donot break in and steal. For where your treasureis, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew6:19-21
My heart is a bit melancholy as I realize that myNana is not here to watch me become a parentand to meet my beautiful daughter. However,joy rises up within me as I explain toYeasmeana that she will one day meet mygrandmother in heaven. Also, I am the
beneficiary of great treasures that were storedup by my parents and grandparents: salvationand obedience to Christ. I have beencommissioned to store up my own treasuresand to pass on this legacy to my daughter. Thisis a true investment into eternity, and these are
my thoughts as we start a new year.~Melissa
PRAY FOR OUR MISSIONARIES
Greg & Vicki SyversonCMF International — Mexico
Scott & Anelle PriceCMF International — Tanzania
Vince & Gretta PaynePanama Mission Foundation
Dr. & Mrs. Yoon Kwon ChaeKorea Gospel Mission
Champions For TomorrowClovis, CA
American Indian Christian Missions
Doors of Hope
Madera Community Food Bank
Madera Rescue Mission
Madera Love INC
Discover more information on themissions we support on ourwebsite: www.maderafcc.org
START STRONG AND FINISHSTRONGER
During Youth Group this past month wespent some time going over StartingStrong and Finishing Stronger. I found it
interesting that God put this on my heart toteach the kids, as the timing for this was just
perfect. Not only is this the time of year where we start thinking about NewYear’s Resolutions, but we are also starting new things here at FCC! Start-ing off strong is important when it comes to anything that we do. When westart strong almost nothing can get in our way! We are hungry Christiansready for anything! This is where I believe Finishing Stronger fits right in.
Although how we start off is important, it is what we do at the end thatmakes us, or breaks us. Almost like we are running a race. When I was inelementary school I decided to run Cross Country. The problem is, I wasnever a very good runner. I tried and tried but ended up almost last everytime. One day, I decided that I was tired of being last; in my mind, if I couldout sprint everyone in the beginning, I could win! I dashed off in front ofeveryone, but to my dismay everyone started to rush past me, and I ended upbeing at the bottom one last time. I was saddened, but I learned a valuablelesson that day. It was not about how I strong I started the race, but howstrong I needed to end the race! As Christians, we need to see this in ourown spiritual life as well! Regardless of where you are in your journey, ra-ther it be in the beginning, stuck in the middle, or the finish line is right be-fore your eyes, keep pushing to be stronger!
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Worship 10:45
(No bible classes or
youth group)
2 3
Intercessory Prayer
6:30pm-7:30pm
4 5
House of Prayer
6:00am-7:00am
Worship Team Practice
6:00pm
6 7
Men’s Breakfast—7:30am
@Perkos
Women’s Breakfast—8am
@Robin Walton’s home
Elder’s Meeting—9am
Board Meeting—10am
8
Bible Classes 9:30
Worship 10:45
Youth Group 6:30-7:30
9 10
Intercessory Prayer
6:30pm-7:30pm
11
FCC Food Bank
10:00am– Noon
12
House of Prayer
6:00am-7:00am
Worship Team Practice
6:00pm
13 14
15
Bible Classes 9:30
Worship 10:45
Youth Group 6:30-7:30
16 17
Intercessory Prayer
6:30pm-7:30pm
18 19
House of Prayer
6:00am-7:00am
Worship Team Practice
6:00pm
20 21
22
Bible Classes 9:30
Worship 10:45
Youth Group 6:30-7:30
23 24
Intercessory Prayer
6:30pm-7:30pm
25
FCC Food Bank
10:00am– Noon
26
House of Prayer
6:00am-7:00am
Worship Team Practice
6:00pm
27 28
29
Bible Classes 9:30
Worship 10:45
Youth Group 6:30-7:30
30 31
Intercessory Prayer
6:30pm-7:30pm
Birthdays
6 Geri Eddy
6 Helen Brown
16 Amanda Stutsman
Calendar Connecting PointsCalendar Connecting PointsCalendar Connecting Points
There are now four emphases in prayer that are opento you as a part of our church family.
The FCC Prayer Team meets each Sunday morning inPastor Mike’s office at 8:45 to seek God and prayerwalk the church facility.
Prayer Hosts are available during the service to prayspecifically with you and for you.
The Intercessory Prayer Ministry meets Tuesdays from6:30-7:30 PM to lift up our church family.
House Of Prayer is aninter-church groupwhich meets Thursdaymornings from 6:00-7:00.
The only thing missingis you!
from ramona . . .As many of you know, we just bought a fixer-upper.That's right, we have a lot of work to do before it'sready to live in. It's a lot like me as God works on me tomake me fit to live in and that reminds me of the quotefrom C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity -
“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in torebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you understandwhat He is doing. He is getting the drains right andstopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knewthose jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised.But presently He starts knocking the house about in away that hurts abominably and doesn't make anysense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation isthat He is quite a different house from the one youthought of-throwing out a new wing here, putting onan extra floor there, running up towers, making
courtyards. You thought you were being made intoa decent little cottage: but He is building a
palace. He intends to come and live in itHimself.”
As we enter the new year, may we all beaware of God's construction project
inside us.
"Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord
Jesus.
-Revelation 22:20
CWF Breakfast—Saturday January 7that 8am @ the home of Robin Walton
2805 Willow Drive
Men’s BreakfastSaturday, January 7th
@ Perkos—7:30 AM
A Brand New Year
Dear Lord, as this new year is bornI give it to Your hand,Content to walk by faith what pathsI cannot understand.Whatever coming days may bringOf bitter loss, or gain,Or every crown of happiness;Should sorrow come, or pain,
It matters not—my hand in Yours,Your light upon my face,Your boundless strength when Iam weak,Your love and saving grace!
I only ask, loose not my hand,Grip fast my soul, and beMy guiding light upon the pathAnd blind no more, I see!
Board Meeting Announcement
